The Mysteries of Free Masonry Containing All the Degrees of the Order Conferred
$10.95
This book represents a great historical artifact of the anti-masonic movement of the 19th Century. While supposed detailed descriptions of Masonic ritual abound on the internet today, at the time this tell-all book was meant to shock a nation where many influential politicians belonged to the Masonic Fraternity. William Morgan paid a high price for publishing this book after being turned away from membership in a Masonic Lodge. His infamous murder sparked not only an anti-masonic movement, but also an anti-masonic political party.
While this book claims to describe in detail the rituals and practice of Freemasonry, any true Mason will tell you that the true meaning of Masonry is not found in the ritual itself, but in its deeper meaning that one uncovers as they learn the significance of the ritual. The process of becoming a Mason is a life-long journey of learning and a desire for wisdom. Books like these often twist the meaning of ritual and misinterpret the symbol by an overly literal interpretation. The Masonic Fraternity is not a sinister pagan society, but an esoteric society based of the philosophy of symbols.
While I respect the place this book has in history, and certainly do not condone the actions of a small group of Masons in perpetuating the murder of William Morgan, I don't recommend this book for those who want to know more about Freemasonry in general. I would recommend several books, also available for free, by Albert G. Mackey, who was a Mason. As a rule, I don't rely on 'anti' books to give me an accurate picture of any religion or philosophy, whether it be anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim, or anti-Mormon.
While this book claims to describe in detail the rituals and practice of Freemasonry, any true Mason will tell you that the true meaning of Masonry is not found in the ritual itself, but in its deeper meaning that one uncovers as they learn the significance of the ritual. The process of becoming a Mason is a life-long journey of learning and a desire for wisdom. Books like these often twist the meaning of ritual and misinterpret the symbol by an overly literal interpretation. The Masonic Fraternity is not a sinister pagan society, but an esoteric society based of the philosophy of symbols.
While I respect the place this book has in history, and certainly do not condone the actions of a small group of Masons in perpetuating the murder of William Morgan, I don't recommend this book for those who want to know more about Freemasonry in general. I would recommend several books, also available for free, by Albert G. Mackey, who was a Mason. As a rule, I don't rely on 'anti' books to give me an accurate picture of any religion or philosophy, whether it be anti-Catholic, anti-Muslim, or anti-Mormon.
